Scientific Name
Echinopsis pachanoi (Britton & Rose) Friedrich & G.D.Rowley
Common Names
San Pedro Cactus
Synonyms
Trichocereus pachanoi, Cereus pachanoi, Trichocereus peruvianus
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Trichocereeae
Genus: Echinopsis
Description
Echinopsis pachanoi, also known as Trichocereus pachanoi, is a fast-growing columnar cactus with green stems, sometimes glaucous and usually with 6 to 8 ribs. As it grows, it branches at the base. The stems are up to 20 feet (3 m) tall and 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. The whitish areoles produce up to 7 yellow to brown, up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) long spines. Flowers are white, appear at the end of the stems and open at night. They are up to 9.6 inches (24 cm) long and 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter. There are black hairs along the length of the tube leading to the flower. Fruits are oblong, dark green, up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) long, and 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 8b to 10b: from 15 °F (−9.4 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
If you can grow cacti and succulents successfully, you can likely grow the Echinopsis species without too much trouble. Like many cacti, they prefer a drying period between waterings, even to the point where they slightly wilt. When you water, however, you should water deeply. The plant will noticeably plump up. The cactus mustn't be exposed to prolonged dampness and sitting water. Never let your cactus sit in a dish of water. Lastly, make sure to fertilizer during the growing season for the best results.
Echinopsis can be easily rooted from offsets, which tend to cluster around the base of the mother plant. Cut offsets close to the stem, at the narrowest possible place. When rooting cacti from cuttings, let the fresh cutting dry out slightly on a paper towel and cut the cacti at the narrowest place possible. After a few days to a few weeks, depending on the size of the cut surface, the cut surface should have dried out and formed a callous or slightly rough opening. Once the callous has formed, place the cutting in a rooting mixture of fast-draining cacti soil.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Echinopsis.
Origin
This species is native to the Andes Mountains at 6,600 to 9,800 feet (2,000 to 3,000 m) in altitude. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru.
Forms
Links
- Back to genus Echinopsis
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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